All-Star candidate: Kobe Bryant heaped praise on Gasol, saying it was a no-brainer that his teammate should be selected to play for the Western Conference All-Star team. He scoffed at the notion that Gasol wouldn’t make the team.

“Oh, I don’t even think that’s a question,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt he’ll be an All-Star. I don’t even think that’s a question. He’s probably one of the top two or three forwards in the game, including Kevin Garnett. I don’t think there’s any question that he should be an All-Star.

“He has such an array of shots. He can take the ball to the basket. He can finish around the hoop. He’s a hell of a talent. It’s hard to find.”

“I think he’s been the most consistent (of the Lakers),” Jackson said of Gasol. “He’s had maybe one or two bad games I can remember where he hasn’t shot the ball well. He’s been consistent.”

Asked if believed Gasol was an MVP candidate this early in the season, Jackson said, “It’s hard to tell. That’s a hard thing to say. Obviously, we think he’s an All-Star candidate. But that’s our own prejudice.”